• Demand for board office at Shimla
• Strike by bank staff
• 6 die in mishap

Cabinet expansion shows rift in BJP
From Romesh Dutt

SOLAN, Jan 11 — Mr Suresh Chandel, president of the BJP's state unit addressing a press conference here yesterday, said that the resolution had been passed to press Himachal's claim for representation at the Centre as no Himachali had been included in the Union Cabinet yet but the resolution had been confined to demanding a ministerial berth and no particular name had been forwarded.

Taking cognisance of media reports of sharp differences between Mr Shanta Kumar and Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal and reports of the former Chief Minister emerging as a strong contender for a Cabinet post, Mr Chandel said tamely that there was no internal dissension in the party.

Mr Chandel, who was here to preside over the party's district executive committee meeting, said that the BJP would launch a state wide campaign to educate the masses about the government's achievements.

Replying to a question, both Mr Balnahatta and Mr Chandel asserted that the move to institute a CBI enquiry against the former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh did not amount to a witch hunt.

When asked about the propriety of instituting a probe through the CBI, whose verdict concerning another Himachali politician, Mr Sukh Ram had been ignored when BJP chose to form a government with him, the two leaders merely said that Mr Sukh Ram had not been convicted.

Today's meeting was marked by acrimonious debates and trading of charges between senior leaders. One leader voiced serious objections over the way the party affairs were being run by the district president, Mr Virendra Kashyap, saying Kashyap worried more about transfers and postings than organisational matters and no executive committee meeting had been convened since August.

Another worker said some district officials were openly flouting orders and memos of ministers and the district party chief was silent over these. The party's beopar cell president demanded the transfer of a senior bureaucrat in this connection.

Later a senior party leader told this correspondent that the party rank and file, who were "emotionally attached with former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar in view of his immense contribution towards raising the BJP to its present stature in the state," were disenchanted at the manner in which he had been sought to be sidelined by the state executive committee. By not even recommending what to say of pressing, the name of Mr Shanta Kumar for a Union Cabinet berth, the state party bosses had sent a wrong signal to grassroot workers. He said every party worker knew that the party's victory in the recently held Baijnath byelection was the handiwork of Mr Shanta Kumar, who insisted on allotment of the party ticket to Mr Dullo Ram, a close lieutenant of his. Had Mr Dhumal, who wanted the ticket to be allotted to a lady candidate of his choice, had his way, the party would have been routed.

Admn mum as miners agitate
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Jan 11 — For fear of facing contempt of court and the wrath of political bosses, the district administration remained a mute spectator as hundreds of slate mine workers blocked traffic on the Palampur road since morning.

A fresh controversy began yesterday, when the Army authorities seized five trucks loaded with illegally mined slates, as they were passing through the cantonment area. Despite the matter having been brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner immediately, the authorities chose not to get involved in the matter as they were faced with a ticklish situation.

A Supreme Court order, dated December 12, 1996, clearly says that the district administration shall be responsible for checking illegal mining in forest areas. For undertaking any non-forest activity in forest areas, one has to seek an NOC from the Union Ministry for Forests and Environment. Though illegal mining is being done on a large scale, the district administration has conveniently turned a blind eye to it as it does not want to face the wrath of the political bosses.

Now, even with the Army authorities providing concrete evidence to the civil administration by seizing five trucks of slates, no action is being taken. The inaction on the part of the civil administration is leading to a direct confrontation between the Army and the locals, a large number of whom are labourers in the mines.

The Adm Commandant, Col Basil Hobkirk, said it was not the job of the Army to check illegal mining. However, keeping in view the security aspect, the Army has to check the movement of vehicles in its area. "We have requested the administration to deploy a police picket at Nabha Road Gate so that the checking of civil vehicles can be done," he stated. If the district authorities took the responsibility of checking the vehicles," it was not the Army's concern whether the vehicles carry illegally mined slates or other things. Justifying the decision of the Army to close two gates in the cantonment, he said that since the division had moved to Srinagar, they had to be vigilant against any kind of threat. He added that all those who had passes and other locals, along with vehicles, were allowed to move through the cantonment.

It is learnt that the district authorities have refused to take responsibility for allowing the passage of slates as it would lead to contempt to court. At the same time, they are not ready to take action and file a case against those whose trucks have been seized as this would go against the wishes of the political bosses.

In the meantime, it is the public that is facing inconvenience, because of the road blockade at Yol.

The people of villages adjoining Yol Cantonment are agitated over the 'inaction' of the administration and the 'harassment' being caused to them by the Army. Mr Hakam Puran Chand of Slate Gram Yol said that when people in Khaniyara, Bhagsu, and Narwana were carrying out illegal mining, why should they be stopped. They people pointed out that it was not the duty of the Army to check illegal mining and rather it was harassing them by checking their free movement. They blamed the district administration for not resolving the matter, despite the issue being an old one."

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr B.K. Aggarwal, said the administration was aware of the problem and a case would be registered in this regard. He assured that effective action would be taken after consulting the agencies involved in mining activity. He added that he was not even aware of any blockade put up by the people. The Mining Officer too has not been available since yesterday for taking action against the offenders.

Telecom may collapse in HP: Sukh Ram
From Our Correspondent

MANDI, Jan 11 — The HVC supremo and former Communication Minister, Mr Sukh Ram, today expressed concern over the deteriorating telecommunication services in the State which he apprehended could collapse, if no remedial measures were taken. He said crores of rupees invested in this hill state could go waste.

Addressing mediapersons at the local Circuit House, he regretted that many vital policy decisions taken during his tenure which had ushered in the telecom revolution had either been reversed or not acted upon by the Centre.

He alleged that Himachal Pradesh was being discriminated against in development and maintenance of the telecom network. Even work on the sanctioned projects had come to a halt.

He said a decision had been taken to post two daily rated employees at the telephone exchanges in the remote areas. At least 200 posts of DRM had been abolished. Services of those who had completed 240 days had also been terminated.

With the abolition of the tenure station status, which had ensured that after two years of service in hilly areas, an officer would be given a station of his choice, 126 posts of 248 all-India cadre posts in the state were lying vacant.

Dhumal listens to farmers' problems
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 11 — Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, held a "khula darbar" for the redressal of grievances of farmers at the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) here yesterday.

Dr G.S. Shekhawat, director of the institute, informed the Chief Minister about the new late-blight resistant potato variety, Kufri Giriraj, developed for Himachal Pradesh as a substitute for the existing Kufri Jyoti.

He also explained the seed-production technology, true potato seed (TPS) production technology, and the rapid multiplication system developed and standardised by the institute.

The Chief Minister urged the farmers to take advantage of the latest knowhow developed by the CPRI and assured the institute of the full support of the government.

HPU VC given warm farewell
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 11 — Mr C.L. Kundu was given a warm send-off today when he relinquished the office of the Vice-Chancellor of the Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) here.

Mr Kundu completed his three year term as Vice-Chancellor today.

Teachers and non-teaching employees of the university bid him farewell as he left for Chandigarh enroute Delhi.

Employee leaders, Mr Subhash Puri and Mr Waryam Singh, appreciated the work of Mr Kundu who steered the university smoothly during his tenure.

The three-member committee appointed by the government to look for a new Vice-Chancellor has not recommended anyone for the post yet.

It is being claimed that the BJP government is likely to appoint a party activist as the new Vice-Chancellor.

HP cops for clear protocol guidelines
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, Jan 11 — The Himachal Pradesh Police Service Officers Association, in an emergent meeting here yesterday appealed to the government to immediately formulate and issue guidelines relating to protocol duties to avoid recurrence of unpleasant incidents like the recent one at Sarkaghat involving a minister and a deputy superintendent of police.

The association noted that Sarkaghat-like incidents were reported to be occurring at other places also, which was affecting the morale and efficiency of public servants.

The association president, Mr Sunder Lal, in a press statement here today, stated that the association had also urged all concerned to exercise due restraint in such sensitive matters.

The association also drew up an eight point charter of demands concerning promotional avenues for HPS officers. This charter will be submitted to the Chief Minister at the earliest to seek his personal intervention in resolving problems being faced by the association members.

Demand for board office at Shimla
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 11 — Mr Yogendera Chandra and Mr Singhi Ram, Congress legislators, today called on Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister and sought opening of a zonal office of the HP Board of School Education here.

They said students of the districts of Kinnaur, Solan, Shimla, Bilaspur and Sirmour are put to great inconvenience as the board office is located at Dharamsala.

Strike by bank staff
From Our Correspondent

KANGRA, Jan 11 — Employees of the Himachal Gramin Bank Officers Organisation observed a strike in support of their demands in Himachal today.

Mr K.S. Dadwal, state President of the organisation, said here that the strike was complete and threatened to launch a non-cooperation movement against the BJP-led Central government by the next month.

He demanded the implementation of the 6th bipartite settlement and the establishment of National Rural Bank of India.

6 die in mishap
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 11 — Six persons were killed and eight injured when a private bus fell into a nullah at Jhakri near Rampur today. The bus was going to Chintpurni from Sarahan.

The injured were admitted to Indira Gandhi Hospital here. Police and Home Guard personnel rushed to the scene of the accident for relief and rescue operations. The Governor, Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, and the Transport Minister, Mr K.K. Kapoor, expressed grief over the accident.